The Public Service Commission has approved a re-routing of a new high voltage power line – to avoid some residences and a farm and ranch operation north of Fargo.

Some residents of the Rush River Township in Cass County – near Argusville – wanted the line moved away from houses. And one farmer-rancher – Edward Olson of Argusville – wanted the line moved more than two miles from his operation – because of concerns about how stray voltage from the line would affect his cattle. The PSC’s order says the line will be moved – so that it won’t come within one and one and a half miles of his farmstead.

Commission president Susan Wefald says this seems to be the best solution.

“It is not a perfect solution, and I guess the Commission is sorry that we can’t make everyone happy,” said Wefald. “We’ve learned over the years that making everyone happy isn’t always possible. We do the very best we can to meet the requirements of law and address landowner concerns. In this case, we feel we have made a reasonable accomodation to meet landowner concerns.”

The 61-mile line will run from Pillsbury to Fargo. It’s being built by Minnkota Power Cooperative, at a cost of about $36 million. It will serve new wind farms proposed for Barnes County.

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